Best Political Science and Government Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina has 18 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,221 recent graduates. Graduates earn $33,791 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,409.

School choice matters significantly: Elon University graduates earn $36,674 while Guilford College graduates earn $25,194 — a $11,480 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NC

$33,791

NC Avg. Earnings

$34,409

National Avg.

631

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in North Carolina

Public Schools (13)

$30,992

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (5)

$41,487

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $10,495 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Political Science and Government Schools in North Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

Elon University

Elon, NC · Private

$36,674

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,293

Graduates: 23

Acceptance: 67.3%

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

$54,463

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,130

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 6.8%

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private

$49,618

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $49,727

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 21.6%

High Point University

High Point, NC · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 76.8%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

$34,485

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,613

Graduates: 383

Acceptance: 18.7%

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$33,138

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,004

Graduates: 108

Acceptance: 39.9%

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

$35,213

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,407

Graduates: 75

Acceptance: 90.1%

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public

$30,771

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,957

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 74.0%

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

$35,213

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,919

Graduates: 184

Acceptance: 80.2%

#10

University of North Carolina Asheville

Asheville, NC · Public

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,020

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 93.9%

#11

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,170

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 46.2%

#12

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

$28,662

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,938

Graduates: 74

Acceptance: 88.6%

#13

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,694

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 92.4%

#14

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,090

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 86.7%

#15

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public

$27,947

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,919

Graduates: 59

Acceptance: 89.8%

#16

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public

$28,212

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,493

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 90.5%

#17

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public

$32,391

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,920

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 68.5%

#18

Guilford College

Greensboro, NC · Private

$25,194

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 83.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Political Science and Government in North Carolina?

Elon University ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in North Carolina with median graduate earnings of $36,674 within two years of graduation. There are 18 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.

How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn in North Carolina?

Political Science and Government graduates in North Carolina earn an average of $33,791 within two years of graduation. This is 2% below the national average of $34,409 for this major.

What is the hardest Political Science and Government school to get into in North Carolina?

Duke University is the most selective Political Science and Government program in North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 6.8%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 67.5%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Political Science and Government in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $41,487 vs $30,992 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 13 public and 5 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in North Carolina

Computer Engineering $79,319 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $65,539 Chemical Engineering $65,411 Computer Science $60,095 Construction Engineering Technologies $58,582 Civil Engineering $56,103 Computer Programming $55,943 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $50,726

All colleges in North Carolina →

Political Science and Government in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.